Maalik

Maalik tries to swagger into the world of gangster epics but ends up as a formulaic slog that offers nothing new beyond a strong central performance by Rajkummar Rao. With its familiar tropes, a dragged-out second half, and a total lack of narrative surprises, the film is yet another forgettable entry in the overpopulated gangster-politics crossover space. The treatment lacks freshness, and the tonality feels uneven.

There is absolutely nothing in the storyline that hasn't been done and done better in countless gangster films before it. The screenplay has a few serviceable moments, but for the most part, it trudges along predictably. There's little to no narrative tension, and the film leans heavily on archetypes instead of creating compelling characters. If you're a die-hard fan of gangster dramas and can overlook predictability in favor of gritty performances, you might find some value here.

Rajkummar Rao, as always, gives it his all. He slips into the role of a hardened gangster with convincing intensity, and even when the film falters, his performance remains grounded and compelling. Manushi Chhillar, Saurabh Shukla, and Swanand Kirkire delivers decent performance. Anshumaan Pushkar is a pleasant surprise. Coming off his powerful performance in 12th Fail, he delivers another nuanced act. Saurabh Sachdeva and Prosenjit Chatterjee start strong, with menacing screen presence, but their arcs fade quickly into predictable caricatures. Huma Qureshi's item number is as forgettable as it is unnecessary.

Direction 2/5 Acting 2.5/5 Dialogues 2/5 Story 2/5 Screenplay 1.5/5.

Rajkummar Rao once again proves he's one of the most versatile actors in Bollywood. In Maalik, he delivers a layered, intense performance - playing a man caught between power, loyalty, and inner chaos. You can feel every emotion in his eyes - from quiet rage to silent pain. 🎭

The film blends political drama with psychological tension, giving us a slow-burn story that builds as it unfolds. The writing is smart, though the pacing at times felt a bit stretched. Some subplots could've been tighter.

The cinematography and background score elevate the mood beautifully. And the dialogues? Sharp, thought-provoking, and at times haunting.

Mallik has an interesting premise and moments of solid drama, but the overall execution feels uneven. The performances are sincere, especially from the lead, but pacing issues and predictable plot twists weaken the overall impact. The music is decent and the visuals capture the mood, yet the film doesn't quite rise above mediocrity. Worth a watch if you like character-driven stories, but don't expect anything groundbreaking.

Starring Rajkumar Rao, Maalik is a gangster drama revolving around the character Deepak and his rise to become the fearless.

To start with, the story is nothing new and doesn't reinvent anything. A poor and angry young man, rising against the odds, to reach to the top - a cliché story that we have seen over the years in bollywood. The highlight of the movie is Rajkumar Rao's performance as Deepak urf Maalik. He is convincing in his act, while Prosenjit came as a surprise package.

Apart from few performances, the movie had nothing to offer. A weak story, underdeveloped characters and an ending that was predictable. The songs as always, were unnecessary and irrelevant to the whole story. Manushi Chillar is a forgettable act.

Overall, Maalik is a fine film that might get attraction only due to the main lead's performance. However, the gangster drama is affected by predictable plot and formulaic climax. My take to watch this movie is 50-50..!!

My Rating : 3/5.

Why 1 star?

Script: completely predictable and uninspired.

Direction: lacks nuance or innovation.

Pacing: drags, especially post-intermission.

Characters: beyond Rao, most are one-dimensional or wasted roles.

Only the energy and charisma of Rao holds your gaze, but he's fighting a losing battle. The film does not respect your time or expectations. Maalik suffers from cliched storytelling that repeats gangster tropes without any fresh take

Rajkummar Rao's Acting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10) Story & Screenplay ⭐ (flat, clichéd) Editing & Pacing ⭐ (much too long) Action & Violence ⭐ (indulgent, hollow) Overall Film Quality ⭐ (unoriginal, forgettable)